Aerosol provision device

Abstract

An aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision device comprises a housing comprising an aperture permitting access inside the housing, the housing comprising a housing connector and a housing limiter, and a cover configured to cover the aperture, the cover comprising a cover connector and a cover limiter. The cover is movable relative to the housing between a connecting position and a non-connecting position. The cover connector is configured to engage the housing connector on a movement of the cover into the connecting position, such that the cover connector and the housing connector connect the cover to the housing when the cover is in the connecting position. The cover limiter is configured to contact the housing limiter to limit movement of the cover beyond the connecting position.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device.

[0004] Background

[0005] Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

[0006] Summary

[0007] In an aspect, an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision device comprises a housing comprising an aperture permitting access inside the housing, the housing comprising a housing connector and a housing limiter, and a cover configured to cover the aperture, the cover comprising a cover connector and a cover limiter. The cover is movable relative to the housing between a connecting position and a nonconnecting position. The cover connector is configured to engage the housing connector on a movement of the cover into the connecting position, such that the cover connector and the housing connector connect the cover to the housing when the cover is in the connecting position. The cover limiter is configured to contact the housing limiter to limit movement of the cover beyond the connecting position.

[0008] The movement may be a rotation of the cover relative to the housing. The aperture may permit access to an energy storage component. The aperture may be located at a distal end of the aerosol provision device. The housing limiter may be fixed to the housing. The housing limiter and cover may be configured to together cover the aperture. A first rotation limiter of the housing limiter and the cover limiter may comprise a post. The post may extend in an axial direction relative to the aperture. The first rotation limiter may be the cover limiter. A second rotation limiter of the housing limiter and the cover limiter may comprise an arm. The arm may be resiliently deformable. The arm may extend in a circumferential direction relative to the aperture. The arm may comprise a bump. The bump may extend radially to contact the other of the housing limiter and the cover limiter. The second rotation limiter may be the housing limiter. The housing connector and the cover connector may extend in a circumferential direction relative to the aperture. A total circumferential extent of the housing connector and the cover connector may be less than a circumference of the aperture.

[0009] A first connector of the housing connector and the cover connector may comprise a lip. A second connector of the housing connector and the cover connector may comprise a slot. The lip may be received in the slot when the cover is in the connecting position. The first connector may be the cover connector and the second connector may be the housing connector. The housing connector may extend inwardly from the aperture. The cover may comprise a tool engaging component. The tool engaging component may be engageable by a tool to rotate the cover from the connecting position.

[0010] In yet another aspect, a kit is provided. The kit comprises an aerosol provision device as described above and the tool.

[0011] In yet another aspect, an aerosol provision system may comprise the aerosol provision device as described above and an article comprising aerosol generating material.

[0012] In yet another aspect, a method of connecting a cover to the housing of an aerosol provision device is provided. The method comprises covering an aperture of the housing with the cover, and moving the cover relative to the housing into a connecting position. In the connecting position a cover connector of the cover engages a housing connector of the housing to connect the cover to the housing. A cover limiter contacts the housing limiter to limit movement of the cover beyond the connecting position.

[0013] The moving of the cover may comprise rotating the cover relative to the housing. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a side view of an aerosol provision device and an article;

[0016] Fig. 2 shows a perspective side view of a housing and a cover;

[0017] Fig. 3A shows an exploded view of the housing and the cover;

[0018] Fig. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the housing engaged with the cover;

[0019] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the housing engaged with the cover;

[0020] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a housing limiter; and

[0021] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a tool and the cover, with the tool shown as transparent.

[0022] Detailed Description

[0023] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and / or flavourants. Aerosol-generating material may include any plant based material, such as tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-generating material also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosolgenerating material may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol-generating material may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smokable material”.

[0024] The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and / or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosolgenerating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

[0025] The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosolgenerating material may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

[0026] The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The sheet may be a crimped sheet. The aerosolgenerating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially tobacco free.

[0027] According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0028] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0029] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolgenerating material is not a requirement.

[0030] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product. Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and an article, typically a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

[0032] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0033] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

[0034] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0035] In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosolgenerating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0036] An aerosol generating device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An “article” in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol generating device before it is heated to produce an aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device which is sized to receive the article.

[0037] With reference to Fig. 1 , an aerosol provision system 10 comprises an aerosol provision device 100 for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision system 10 further comprises a replaceable article 110 comprising the aerosol generating material. In broad outline, the aerosol forming device 100 may be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium, which is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0038] The aerosol forming device 100 comprises a body 102. A housing 202 surrounds and houses various components of the body 102. An article aperture 104 is formed at one end of the body 102, through which the article 110 may be inserted for heating by an aerosol generator 200.

[0039] The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 150.

[0040] The aerosol generator 200 defines a longitudinal axis, which aligns with an axis of the article 110.

[0041] In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the aerosol generator 200 where it may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 200.

[0042] The device 100 includes an apparatus for heating aerosol-generating material. The apparatus includes an aerosol generating assembly, a controller (control circuit), and a power source. The apparatus forms part of the body 102. The aerosol generating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material of an article 110 inserted through the article aperture 104, such that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating material. The power source supplies electrical power to the aerosol generating assembly, and the aerosol generating assembly converts the supplied electrical energy into heat energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery.

[0043] The power source may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generating assembly to supply electrical power when required and under control of the controller to heat the aerosol generating material. The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generating assembly based on a user input. The user input may be via a button press or opening a door of the device (for example, a door covering a consumable receiving receptacle). The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate automatically, for example on insertion of an article.

[0044] The aerosol generating assembly may comprise various components to heat the aerosol generating material via an inductive heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

[0045] With reference to Fig. 2, the aerosol provision device 10 comprises the housing 202 and a cover 204. The aerosol provision device 10 has a mouth end 205, from which a user can inhale aerosol. The aerosol provision device 10 also has a distal end 207 opposite to the mouth end 205. The aerosol provision device 10 has an elongate shape defining a longitudinal direction.

[0046] The housing 202 comprises a cavity. The cavity may be an energy storage compartment, e.g. a compartment for housing a battery (not shown). The aerosol provision device 10 may be electrically coupled to the cavity so that energy storage device housed in the cavity may be used to supply electrical energy to operate the aerosol provision device 10. The housing 202 comprises an aperture 203, which provides access to the cavity, e.g. to insert and / or remove the battery. In this embodiment, the aperture 203 is positioned at the distal end 207 of the aerosol provision device 10. The housing 202 further comprises a housing connector 206 configured to engage with the cover 204 to hold the cover 204 in place. The housing connector 206 is positioned in the aperture 203. The housing connector 206 extends inwardly from the housing 202 towards the centre of the aperture 203.

[0047] The cover 204 is configured to close off the aperture 203. The cover 204 comprises a cover connector 208 that can engage with the housing connector 206 so that the cover 204 can be releasably attached to the housing 202. The cover 204 is movable relative to the housing 202 between a connecting position and a nonconnecting position. In the connecting position, the cover connector 208 engages with the housing connector 206 so as to resist relative motion between the housing 202 and the cover 204. In the connecting position, the cover 204 closes at least a portion of the aperture 203. In the non-connecting position, the cover connector 208 is spaced apart from the housing connector 206 (i.e. not engaged with the housing connector 206) so that the cover 204 can move relative to the housing 202. In the non-connecting position, the cover 204 may be removed from the aperture 203 thereby allowing access to the cavity through the aperture 203. Advantageously, this arrangement provides a simple and / or efficient way in which a cavity, e.g. a battery compartment, can be selectively accessed and covered. As such, the time and effort taken to replace, repair, or recycle batteries tends to be reduced by the above described arrangement.

[0048] In this embodiment, the housing connector overlays the aperture, covering part of the aperture. In other embodiments, the housing connector does not overlay the aperture. In some embodiments, the cover completely closes off the aperture. In other embodiments, the cover does not close off the entirety of the aperture, e.g. the cover may be configured to close a limited portion of the aperture. In this embodiment, the movement of the cover from a connecting position to a nonconnecting position includes a rotation of the cover relative to the housing about the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments, the movement of the cover from a connecting position to a non-connecting position does not include a rotation of the cover relative to the housing about the longitudinal direction, e.g. the movement may include a linear movement.

[0049] With reference to Fig. 3A and 3B, the housing connector 206 comprises two housing collars 302. Each of the housing collars 302 may be considered to be a protrusion, or a lip, or a flange. The housing collars 302 extend radially inwardly from an internal wall of the cavity of the housing 202.

[0050] The cover connector 208 comprises two cover rims 304. The cover rims 304 extend radially outwardly from the cover 204. Each of the cover rims 304 defines a respective channel. Each of the channels may be considered to be a slot, a groove, or a flange. Each of the channels is sized to receive a respective housing collar 302 therein. Each of the housing collars 302 has a shape that is complementary to its respective channel. Each of the housing collars 302 may be received within its respective channel. In the connecting position (shown in Fig. 3B), each of the housing collars 302 is positioned within its respective channel thereby resisting movement of the cover 204 relative to the housing 202 in the longitudinal direction. In the connecting position, the cover rims 304 are inside the cavity.

[0051] In the connecting position, each of the housing collars 302 abuts and / or engages with cover rims 304 in the longitudinal direction to resist movement that may separate the cover 204 from the housing 202.

[0052] The housing connector 206 and the cover connector 208 extend in a circumferential direction relative to the aperture 203. As explained in more detail below, the total circumferential extent of the housing connector 206 and the cover connector 208 is less than a circumference of the aperture 203.

[0053] The internal radial separation between the two housing collars 302 is smaller than the distance between the radially outer edges of the two cover rims304. As such, when each of the housing collars 302 are received within their respective channels, the cover 304 is held by the housing 202 since the cover rims 304 cannot be moved past the housing collars 302 and through the aperture 203. The housing collars 302 and the cover rims 304 overlap in the connecting position.

[0054] The diameter of the aperture 203 is substantially the same or greater than the distance between radially outer edges of the two cover rims 304. The internal radial separation between the two housing collars 302 is substantially the same or greater than the outer distance between opposing portions of the cover 202 where the two cover rims 304 are not present.

[0055] To releasably attach the cover 202 to the housing 204, the cover 202 is first arranged so that the cover rims 304 align with the portions of the housing without housing collars 304 and / or the housing collars 304 align with the portions of the cover 204 without the cover rims 304. In this arrangement, the cover 204 can be moved into and / or through the aperture 203 in the longitudinal direction. This is possible because the total circumferential extent of the housing connector and the cover connector is less than a circumference of the aperture. The circumferential spacing between the housing collars 302 is greater than the circumferential extent of each cover rim 304. The circumferential spacing between the cover rims 304 is greater than the circumferential extent of each housing collar 302.

[0056] The cover 204 is then rotated about the longitudinal axis so that the cover rims 304 engage and / or abut the housing collars 302 and the housing collars 302 are received within their respective channels. In this position, the cover 204 is held in place relative to the housing 202. Advantageously, this arrangement can ensure that the opposing edges of the cover 204 are secured to the housing 202 thereby improving the retention of the cover 204 to the housing 202.

[0057] To detach the cover 202 from the housing 204, the cover 202 is rotated in the opposite direction so that the cover rims 304 align with the portions of the housing 202 without housing flanges 304 and / or the housing flanges 304 align with the portions of the cover 204 without the cover rims 304. In this arrangement, the cover 204 can be moved out of and / or through the aperture 203.

[0058] In this embodiment, the cover is substantially circular in shape. In other embodiments, the cover is not circular is shape, e.g. the cover may have a square or diamond shape. In this embodiment, the cover connector comprises two channels. Each of which is configured to receive a respective flange. In other embodiments, the cover connector does not comprise two channels, e.g. the cover connector may comprise only one channel or the cover connector may comprise the flange instead. In some embodiments, the channels may be positioned on adjacent sides of the cover. In this embodiment, the housing connector comprises two flanges. In other embodiments, the housing connector does not comprise two flanges, e.g. the housing connector may only comprise one flange, or the housing connector may comprise a channel instead. In some embodiments, the flanges may be positioned on adjacent sides of the housing.

[0059] With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, the cover 204 comprises a cover limiter 402. The housing 202 comprises a housing limiter 502. The cover limiter 402 is configured to contact the housing limiter 502 on the housing 202 to limit movement of the cover 204 beyond the connecting position. In other words, the cover limiter 402 engages with a housing limiter 502 in the connecting position to prevent further rotation (in either direction) of the cover 204 relative to the housing 202. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the cover limiter 402 comprises two posts. Each of the posts extends along a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the cover 402 i.e. in the longitudinal direction. Each of the posts is configured to engage with a corresponding housing limiter 502 to retain the cover in place when in the connecting position.

[0060] In this embodiment, the cover limiter comprises two posts. In other embodiments, the cover limiter does not comprise two posts, e.g. the cover limiter may comprise only one post or the cover limiter may comprise a flexible arm. In some embodiments, the cover limiter may be a protrusion.

[0061] With reference to Fig. 5, in some embodiments, the housing 202 comprises the housing limiter 502. The housing limiter 502 is configured to engage with the cover limiter 402 to limit movement of the cover 204 beyond the connecting position. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the housing limiter 502 comprises two deformable arms 503. Each of the arms 503 is configured to engage with a respective post of the cover limiter 402. Each of the arms 503 is sized such that when post rotates, its respective post exerts a force onto the arm 502 thereby deforming that arm 502. The force applied to the arm 503 may be in the circumferential direction and / or radial direction. Each of the arms 503 comprises a recess 504 in which its respective post rests in the connecting position. The recess 504 is formed due to the arm 503 comprising a radially extending bump, with the bump contacting the post. The recess 504 may be considered to be a detent and / or a catch for the cover limiter 402. In moving from the non-connecting position to the connecting position, the posts on the cover 204 overpass the bumps on the housing limiter 502. While in the connecting position, the cover 204 is locked in position relative to the housing 202.

[0062] In this embodiment, the housing limiter 502 comprises two deformable arms 503. In other embodiments, the housing limiter 502 does not comprise two deformable arms, e.g. the housing limiter 502 may comprise only one arms or the housing limiter 502 may comprise one or more posts instead. In other embodiments, the cover limiter and the housing limiter are reversed, with the posts comprised in the housing limiter and the arms comprised in the cover limiter.

[0063] In other embodiments, the cover connector and the housing connector are reversed, such that the cover connector comprises a radially inwardly extending lip and the housing connector comprises a radially outwardly extending lip. In such embodiments, the cover may fit over the distal end of the housing.

[0064] Advantageously, the above-described arrangement of housing and cover limiter tends to prevent cover from unintentionally moving out of the connecting position. This provides a cover that is movable relative to the housing between the connecting position and the non-connecting position. Moreover, the cover connector engages the housing connector on a movement of the cover into the connecting position such that the cover connector and the housing connector connect the cover to the housing when the cover is in the connecting position. Furthermore, the cover limiter is provided to contact the housing limiter to limit movement of the cover beyond the connecting position. As such, the releasable attachment of the cover may be provided without resulting in any structural weakness or reduction in usability.

[0065] With reference to Fig. 6, a tool 602 can be provided to rotate the cover 204 to attach the cover 204 to the housing 202 or detach the cover 204 from the housing 202. The cover 204 comprises an engagement opening 604. The engagement opening 604 may be a tool engaging component. The engagement opening 604 has a shape that is a central circle with two opposing wings arranged on the edges of the circle.

[0066] The tool 602 comprises a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion comprises an engagement protrusion 606 that has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the engagement opening 604. The engagement protrusion 606 can fit inside the engagement opening 604. The handle portion extends from the head portion. The handle portion has a length, in the direction of extension, such that the handle portion can be held or griped by a human hand. When the engagement protrusion 606 is positioned inside the engagement opening 604, the rotation of the tool 602 about the head portion, e.g. by rotating the handle portion about the head portion, would cause the cover 204 to rotate. The rotation of the cover 204 may cause the attachment / detachment of the cover 204 relative to the housing 202.

[0067] Advantageously, the provision of the tool 602 tends to allow the attachment / detachment of the cover 204 to be easier. Advantageously, the provision of the tool 602 may allow the cover 204 to be lighter and / or have a more compact shape thereby making the aerosol provision device 10 smaller and / or lighter. For example, since the rotation of the cover 204 may be provided for by the engagement opening, there does not need to be components added to the cover 204 to facilitate the rotation of the cover 204. Moreover, the engagement opening 604 amounts to a removal of material from the cover 204 thereby making the cover 204 lighter. Advantageously, the wings of the shape of the engagement opening 604 and / or the engagement protrusion 606 may further facilitate the rotation of the cover 204.

[0068] In this embodiment, the tool is provided. In other embodiments, the tool is not provided. In this embodiment, the shape of the engagement opening and / or engagement protrusion is a central circle with two opposing wings arranged on the edges of the circle. In other embodiments, the shape of the engagement opening and / or engagement protrusion is not a central circle with two opposing wings arranged on the edges of the circle, e.g. the shape of the engagement opening and / or engagement protrusion may be a line, or two discrete circle, or an elliptical shape, or an irregular shape. In this embodiment, the shapes of the engagement opening and engagement protrusion is the same. In other embodiments, the shapes of the engagement opening and engagement protrusion is not the same, e.g. the engagement opening is bigger than the engagement protrusion. In some embodiments, a limited portion of the engagement protrusion is complementary to a limited portion of the engagement opening. In this embodiment, the cover comprises the engagement opening and the tool comprises the engagement protrusion. In other embodiments, the cover does not comprise the engagement opening and the tool does not comprise the engagement protrusion, e.g. the cover comprises the engagement protrusion and the tool comprises the engagement opening.

[0069] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising: a housing comprising an aperture permitting access inside the housing, the housing comprising a housing connector and a housing limiter; and a cover configured to cover the aperture, the cover comprising a cover connector and a cover limiter; wherein the cover is movable relative to the housing between a connecting position and a non-connecting position, wherein the cover connector is configured to engage the housing connector on a movement of the cover into the connecting position, such that the cover connector and the housing connector connect the cover to the housing when the cover is in the connecting position; and wherein the cover limiter is configured to contact the housing limiter to limit movement of the cover beyond the connecting position.

2. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1 , wherein the movement is a rotation of the cover relative to the housing.

3. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the aperture permits access to an energy storage component.

4. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the aperture is located at a distal end of the aerosol provision device.

5. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing limiter is fixed to the housing.

6. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing limiter and cover are configured to together cover the aperture.

7. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein a first rotation limiter of the housing limiter and the cover limiter comprises a post.

8. An aerosol provision device according to claim 7, wherein the post extends in an axial direction relative to the aperture.

9. An aerosol provision device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first rotation limiter is the cover limiter.

10. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein a second rotation limiter of the housing limiter and the cover limiter comprises an arm.

11. An aerosol provision device according to claim 10, wherein the arm is resiliently deformable.

12. An aerosol provision device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the arm extends in a circumferential direction relative to the aperture.

13. An aerosol provision device according to claim 12, wherein the arm comprises a bump, the bump extending radially to contact the other of the housing limiter and the cover limiter.

14. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the second rotation limiter is the housing limiter.

15. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing connector and the cover connector extend in a circumferential direction relative to the aperture, wherein a total circumferential extent of the housing connector and the cover connector is less than a circumference of the aperture.

16. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein a first connector of the housing connector and the cover connector comprises a lip, wherein a second connector of the housing connector and the cover connector comprises a slot, wherein the lip is received in the slot when the cover is in the connecting position.

17. An aerosol provision device according to claim 16, wherein the first connector is the cover connector and the second connector is the housing connector.

18. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing connector extends inwardly from the aperture.

19. An aerosol provision device according to any of claims 2 to 18, wherein the cover comprises a tool engaging component, wherein the tool engaging component is engageable by a tool to rotate the cover from the connecting position.

20. A kit comprising an aerosol provision device according to claim 19 and the tool.

21. An aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 19 or the kit according to claim 20 and an article comprising aerosol generating material.

22. A method of connecting a cover to the housing of an aerosol provision device, the method comprising: covering an aperture of the housing with the cover; and moving the cover relative to the housing into a connecting position; wherein in the connecting position a cover connector of the cover engages a housing connector of the housing to connect the cover to the housing, wherein a cover limiter contacts the housing limiter to limit movement of the cover beyond the connecting position.

23. A method of claim 12, wherein the moving the cover comprising rotating the cover relative to the housing.

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